Week One

20 Questions

Week One Exercise: Positioning yourself as a design researcher.

Reflecting on your practice, respond thoughtfully but briefly to the questions below

‘How’ do you make: 

• My making process revolves around ideating and developing with my designs and forming ideas that I like together and then further developing multiple models, etc.
• My making process lies around modeling and visualising; for me to fully understand my work for the details and problems, I need to see my work physically to understand. I love working around hand modeling with paper and card to make a 3d model of a space. Then using fabrics, wire, and clay to build surface and texture to see the feel of an object or space.
• I tend to lean on research for support when solving a design problem. Exploring how other designers may have solved the issue I am facing and then presenting multiple solutions. Then merge the ideas to see what fits best. 
• I prefer making with my hands, I believe that I can visualise and understand my work through touching. Specifically through the use of clay to experiment with the texture of surfaces. 

‘What’ do you make?

• Within my design practice, I tend to make works that have the influence and incorporation of movement. With controlling the audience’s movement through the space with the design and structure, or the reaction being a new form or experience of movement. 
• I also love the use of curvature within my designs, with forming these large organic forms that weave and float through a space, or the small details of an object incorporating the natural forms.- 
• I think this design element falls back on my interest in movement. As growing up as a dancer the way I move and hold myself will always be different from the people around me. So I think this ideology within me controls the shaping and thinking around my design practice. 
• The best way to communicate these designs is through my exploration of watercolour and clay modeling. With these mediums allow the soft and smooth surfaces to dance through a space effortlessly. 

‘Why’ do you make the things you make? 

• I reason I became a designer is because even from a young age I always had the tendency to make and build things. I loved feeling touching things with my hands. Which has carried on into till now. 
• I have always had thing creative spark of drawing and painting, which lead me to my interest in creating and making.
• Throughout high school, I understood that I wanted to create more than just 2d works and wanted to build 3d forms and spaces- taking up my interest in interior design.
• I have just completed my undergraduate degree in spatial design- now after all of my papers and internships, I think I am more interested in commercial medical-based interior design. With being in the hospital a lot as a child I have the need and want to give back to these environments. 

• I think my degree has shaped my thinking around my practice and spatial design, that spatial design is the designing of a space, whether how you fill it or design it physically. From this concept, I have theory of spatial design being the experience within a designed space. This is what utilise throughout my works and thinks. How can my designs within or around the space create or change the experience to my advantage as a designer? 

My Design Practice

As a spatial designer, I hold the purpose of creating and manipulating one’s experience within a designed environment, exploring how the atmosphere can reconstruct a user’s emotions and feelings within a space.My design practice and methods relate to the ideology of experience within a space, how will the atmosphere and configuration of design relate and react to the inhabitants.

As a designer how can I manipulate or control one’s emotions and experience within a designed atmosphere? 

My childhood has had a great impact on my design process and application, growing up as a dancer (ballet, contemporary, jazz, acrobatics) I tend to move and visual spaces differently from other designers. This ability to contort and undulate myself has had a reaction on my spatial work, with emphising on the element of movement. This design element is seen through the physical design of construction, with guiding and controlling the inhabitant’s movements, or through the subtle details of surface and materials. 

In my practice of design, I utilise the methods of research, specifically Historical Research and Material Research; these methods coincide with each other with interlinking about the space’s past and current narrative and materiality settings. 

In relation to my interest in medical environment design, I adapt my site research and analysis skills to understand the narrative between the medical space and the concerned community. Focusing on the developing relationship between the space and experience creating, improving, and shaping the reflected community experience. Evolving my use of the relationship between space and materiality as a trigger, testing my theories and reactions.

My interest and curiosity surrounding the concept of creating and exploring the space within the health context have been generated from my own experiences. With suffering from anxiety and recognising these issues of the design and composition of the atmosphere within these environments enhancing and triggering further emotions. This experience has sparked my attention towards the effects and enhancements a design and fulfillment of a space can have on one’s behavior and emotional connection.

Mahmoud’s study of “Interior Architectural Elements that Affect Human Psychology and Behaviours” inspects the impactful relationship between people and interior spaces, exploring how people’s psychological attitudes are affected by interior architecture design. “With there being an intricate relationship between the user and space, both defining and giving meaning to each other; this interaction from being constructed from cultural, psychological, economic and physical factors of both the space and inhabitant” (Ayalp, 2012).

In my future of design, I want to explore and discover how aspects of design interact with the mental, cultural and psychological environments, dictating how emotions and responses can be altered and triggered through the design and approach of an atmosphere.

Images of my work

WayFinding Hub

This project merges the strengths of Industrial, Spatial and Communication Design in order to create an accessible and inclusive wayfinding hub to work as the centre of an expansive wayfinding system that will be distributed over the North Shore Hospital. Along with the main hub the design includes a kiosk and shelter design intended to work as touchpoints for further guidance in regards to direction and navigation. 

More than likely the first interaction with the hub. This entrance will be accessible to those who are exiting personal vehicles and going on to the North Shore hospital.

Hub interiors illustrate the soft and organic forms while still maximising the natural surroundings. 

The Architecture of Inequality: Fort Lane’s Parasite

Located within Fort Lane, “The Architecture of Inequality: Fort Lane’s Parasite” exposes the community’s parasitic economic and social system, communicating through the cinematic lens, of the luxury of money or lack of money can buy you. This multi-story structure measures the heights and lengths needed to climb to reach the atmosphere of peak materialism and consumerism found in our Neo Capital Society. With the geological structure clinging and controlling the division of the community representative, furthermore infecting the host. Increasing the gap between the rich and poor, and their living environments; of a Shared Food Kitchen, Homeless Shelter, Grand Restaurant, Grand Hotel.

Sleep Wake

I designed a sleeping and waking space for two strangers, focusing on movement, sound, and seclusion. I put myself in as one of the two strangers because I know how I would react in this particular space and scenario. The two quilted tunnels are the sleeping spacing as well as a private space for the strangers. The strangers get to decide where they sleep in the tunnel depending on their lighting and sleeping choice. The isolation of these tunnels allows the strangers to retreat from the awkwardness and nervous situation of being faced with a stranger; allowing the individuals to become connected with their senses and trying to locate the strangers from their tunnel with sound and touch. The eating area and relaxing area is open allowing the strangers to communicate if desired.

Research Proposal

My proposed research study is developing this current space called a teleyhub, which is this small 6×6 room that is a meeting/consulting space for the community its located in. Currently their is one found within the north shore hospital and is used as a meeting space- but is wanted to be developed through my research as a consulting space for doctor visual checks ups.

At the moment the design is very structured and business like and defeats the purpose of the space. 

Within my proposal will be inspired from one of my previous projects which was providing support and care for users within a hospital setting that struggle with being in a medical environment, whether that was from language barries, disability needs ect.

So through my research I am going to investigate what is a safe hospital experience and what does that feel and how can I emit these experiences exterior of a medical space.

I will be focusing on the developing relationship between the cubical space and experience created, and further reflecting the community experience. 

With understanding the narrative between the medical space and the concerned community, so this space can cater and support users within the community.

Almost creating this medical space in desguise- creating these bounderies and support. 

I will be exploring these supportive mechiansms- of materials, with textures and surfaces

Imagery Inspiration

My Own Inspiration

WayFinding Hub

Week Two

Aims two

Thinking about the Aims influencing the design of your Research Proposal

Review your 300-word statement from last week (self-directed exercise two) to identify aspects of your practice that drive thinking and decision-making through the development of your project. You will use this work to form the basis of next week’s Three Aims Exercise, which you bring to class and submit to your WordPress blog. This work will support you in the development of your research question, research proposal draft, and formative assessment submission.

Part One: 20 minutes self-reflection and documentation

Reflect on your proposed project, consider & respond to these questions.

1. What do you hope to learn through this research? (What are you curious about in relation to your design ideas?)

•  through my research, I am curious and interested in what qualities and aspects of design, specifically interior design create and soft and soothing atmosphere. Researching into certain theories and researches that explore these issues of fear and worry, and how that battle these issues through design.
• In relation to my own interest and purpose of my project, with relating these practitioner’s theories in relation to my design space of medical design. Learning how to apply the exploration and research into my own proposal.
• What element of design create and pushes the boundaries of care and support (relaxer)- Research into medical design- hospital, doctors, psychologists, any concepts surrounding creating a calming space.
• Research into what is a medical space, what is a supportive and safe medical space.
• My research is also going to be placed within a community of the District Health Boards’ choice- researching into works and practitioners that work within creating a space or opportunity, learning how they provide support through design, for, and within a community.

2. What do you hope to discover by undertaking this research project?

• Specific elements of medical design, that create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, other than biophilic design. This element of design works so well with creating a calm and relaxing space, yet due to health and germ reasons, biophilic designs are not allowed within most medical facilities. Discovering how I could go about implementing biophilic design qualities through other design elements and forms- sound, touch, surface, texture. Discovering other design theories and concepts that provide and calming nature to inhabitants. 
• I also want to discover how people interact with my work, and what type of reactions people a willing to have. Will it go out as I planned or will it have a different effect?
• Discovering the effect design can have within a community. With this design providing core support to communities that need it the most., I want to discover the large impact and influence design can have within people’s lives, what changes it makes, and how it helps/supports them firsthand.

3. What do you think will be revealed/learned/understood through undertaking this research project?

•   “What does a safe and supportive medical space feel and look like”- what elements of designs are needed within a medical space to provide care and support- what colours, materials: surface textures, sounds, room.
• What can design do to alter people’s lives and habits? With a lot of people neglecting healthcare, for lack of transport, care, fears, stress, cultural reasons. How can the support and experience of design change the ways the community reacts and thinks and medical care. revealing what needs and wants need to be met and addressed to implement and impact within communities.

4. How will this research impact other people – your users, community, or audience?

•   This research and implementation will create an impact within the community of…. with providing medical care support. This teleyhub will be placed and designed around a community that neglected medical care for their own personal reasons. Through my research and experimentation of design, the implementation of creating this hub will impact the placed communities. By creating a space that alters and changes the way that medical care is perceived. Creating this calming and supportive environment that will impact the community members’ lives and experience of healthcare. 

Using the template below, write up one of the aims of your research.

AIM 1:

What do you hope to learn?

• What element create and pushes the boundaries of care and support (relaxer), within a medical design. spaces of; hospitals, doctors, psychologists, any concepts surrounding creating a calming space. How can I relate and alter these concepts to work with a design setting and purpose?

What do you hope to discover?

• Specific elements of medical design, that create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, other than biophilic design. This element of design creates a calm and relaxing space, yet is not seen in public health spaces due to health and cleanliness reasoning. Discovering how I could go about implementing biophilic design qualities through other design elements and forms- sound, touch, surface, texture, discovering what other design concepts provide a calming nature to inhabitants. 

What will be revealed?

• “What does a safe and supportive medical space feel and look like”- what elements of designs are needed within a medical space to provide care and support- what colours, materials: surface textures, sounds, room.
• “What can design do to alter people’s lives and habits?”

How will this research impact other people?

• This research and implementation will create an impact within the communities, by providing medical care support. This teleyhub will be placed and designed around a community that neglected medical care for their own personal reasons; due to lack of transport, care, fears, stress, cultural reasons. Through my research and experimentation of design, the implementation of creating this hub will impact the placed communities. By creating a space and experience that transforms the way that medical care is perceived and reacted with. Creating this calming and supportive environment that will impact the community members’ lives and experience of healthcare. 

Self Directed

• Manaakitanga 
• Urban 
• Container
• well-being
• Prosperity
• Repose
• Serenity
• Confine
• Contain
• Curative
• Therapeutic 
• Implementation 
• Future 

Exercise Two: Aims Planning

1. Add a set of at least 5 keywords to The Research Design page of your Website.

• Manaakitanga 
• Urban 
• Serenity
• Confine
• Curative
• Implementation 

2. Address the two methods you selected to discuss in class today, write out a 200-300 word statement.

Within my research proposal of creating a supportive therapeutic environment that provides support of healthcare for communities through design. At the moment I am quite interested in the elements and practices of “Hygge” and “Biophilic Design”. These design elements incorporate environmental (flora and fauna) and community depictions to create an emotional connection to a harmonious atmosphere for post confronting experiences.

So my choice in methods helps with my explorations of what qualities and elements of spatial/interior design can support and positively impact all users from different backgrounds in a healthcare environment?

Historical Research and Material Research

I will be utilising the methods of research, specifically Historical Research and Material Research; these methods coincide with each other with interlinking about the spaces past and current narrative and materiality settings. Within the health environment setting, I will adapt my site research and analysis skills to understand the narrative between the medical space and the concerned community. Focusing on the developing relationship between the space and experience created, improving and shaping the reflected community experience. Evolving my use of the relationship between space and materiality as a trigger, testing my theories and reactions, within a physical and practical setting rather than through theoretical research. 

Moulding

With research into forms and materiality of designs, I use the process of “Moulding” through shaping and forming materials (specifically in my past practice using clay and wiring) to create and understand relationships between a design and the materiality of the environment.

I work best with visualising through my hands to really understand an issue and the fabrication of my works. Within my research proposal of exploring and understanding the relationship between creating a safe and calm environment within a medical space, specifically through materiality, of surface and texture. This process of molding and distorting materials through my hands, I am able to not only see the relationship and effects created, yet I can embody and further understand the effects, of this form. 

Iterative Design

A designing process that I use is Iterative Design, the method of formulating, testing and evaluating design concepts through a continuous cycle of drawing and prototyping designs to fabricate a progression that holds developed and successful elements. Within my practice currently, I use this process of testing out various designs and concepts, when exploring different surfaces and textures of concepts models. I have been playing around with different mediums and exploring the different texures created by each surface- exploring the effect and mood almost create by touching these surfaces. This process allows the process of prototyping to explore the different effects created from materials, further exploring what feels safe and calming. 

Describe:

1. How these methods might influence the direction of your research.

2. Think about the methods (practices, techniques, processes etc.) you regularly use to make work

3. How do you develop ideas through your practice?

• These methods of research into the context of the site and materials will influence my practice and the direction my research moves into critically. With having the specific elements of the community possible context surrounding cultural backgrounds, issues with the healthcare system want and changes. It allows me to explore possible solutions through my materiality and designs. With possibly including or exploring certain materials or design aspects of colouring, patterns, textures that could provide further support for the users would be key. With this place of health being a fearful place for some members of the community, the ability to provide influential and known experiences and memories, would relax and care for a lot of users. 
• With the process of molding, this gives me the ability to see the effect of materials, within the design. The experience that is created first and hand and how it will interact with the nature of the atmosphere created. 
• Some practices that are key to my design making and thinking are: Historical Research, Materiality Research, Iterative Design, Precedent Studies and Watercolour Painting.

I use the “Watercolour Painting” technique to further explore the flow and movement of spatial range by creating suggestive drawings with smooth and straight-line journeys, illustrating the relationship between visual and architectural designs.

With research into forms and materiality of designs, I use the process of “Moulding” through shaping and forming clay and adobe to create a relationship between a design and materiality of the environment and site context.

“Iterative Design”, using the method of formulating, testing and evaluating design concepts through a continuous cycle of drawing and prototyping designs to fabricate a progression that holds developed and successful elements.

I utilise this “Historical Research” process to study and analyse the past context, events, and concepts within a selected region for understanding the historical settings of the space and for further understanding and judgment when developing or redesigning a space. 

“Case Study”, analysing and identifying key design elements and concepts that have been incorporated within the artist’s a fabrication/work, and explore how these techniques and ideas can be modified and developed to fit within my own designs and practices. 

• I able to develop my ideas through my making, since my processes are very hands-on and visual. I am able to see and feel the flaws and possible issues within my design, whether it effects my design quality or aesthetics, as well as the inhabitants themselves. 
• I move in between and back forth through all of my methods throughout my design practice and development. That I am able to gage in insights and ideas throughout the process, that my designs change, and the purpose and thinking behind a space may alter throughout.

You can use images to explain or show the methods.

A Method is:

a particular procedure for accomplishing or approaching something, especially a systematic or established one, such as procedures, techniques, practices, processes, means, mediums, mechanisms; approaches, a way, course of action, strategies, tactics, plans, recipes.

Week 3

Draft Research Question

My research question

Version 1:

• How can I explore the deliverance of a safe and supportive experience for users in a medical environment? Specifically through the influence and leverage of qualities Hygge design, to provide this care for communities. 

Version 2:

• How can I change the perspective and notion of medical design within communities, designing a public consultation space? Analysing and adapting the design theory of “Hygge” to a medical environment, to deliver a safe and supportive medical experience?

Research Question

Thinking about the Aims influencing the design of your Research Proposal

Review your Three Aims exercise from last week (self-directed exercise two) to support you in the development of a draft research question. Post on your WordPress blog when you have completed the exercise.

Part One: 20 minutes self-reflection and documentation

Reflect on your proposed project, consider & respond to these questions. 

1. What does this research project explore? (what is your hunch or area of interest… name an idea or concept – not a description of something).

• Solving the issues within medical space designs?
• How can I as a designer solve these issues, and apply them to my own concept of medical space?

2. …by doing what? (making or thinking about/considering, reflecting on. This could be a key context, your discipline knowledge, a method or approach).

• Using the theory of hygge, to further create a safe and supportive medical experience.
• Sigmund Fruads theory on controlling emotions through a layout of a space.
• Changing community’s perspectives on healthcare- through this design experience.

3. …in order to do what? What do you want to understand, find out or test? (what is the main theme, subject or concern?).

• Explore the examples of public medical spaces, within Auckland (through District Health Board) understand the current design problems. What the experience is like within these spaces.
• Explore the design of the current “Teleyhub”, within Henderson (through District Health Board) understand the current design problems. What the experience is like within this space.
• Understand of design works relaxing and calming- hygge.
• Explore the layout and design elements and concepts, to create a safe and supportive health environment.
• Testing out my research and exploration of design to achieve a safe medical environment- in set community space.
• Understand the set communities’ relationship with medical spaces? what are the reasonings for their medical neglect?

4. …so that… What’s the point of your research? (this is the ‘so what’ part of the question – explain why are you doing this research?)

• To stop the neglect in healthcare for many communities. Helping people become healthier faster, rather than last minute.
• Providing further local support for communities.- Removing the boundaries of care.
• Understanding and solving these design issues within medical acre, so it can be applied throughout the DHB. Communicate the importance and effect that design can have within spaces, the critical impact it can have within experiences- trauma and fear. 

Make notes as you ask these sections, then draft out a research question using the template at the bottom of this worksheet.

What does this research project explore? (what is your hunch or area of interest… name an idea or concept – not a description of something).

• isses with healthacre design
• hygge
• Fruad- physcological deisgn
• Safe design

…by doing what? (making or thinking about/considering, reflecting on. This could be a key context, your discipline knowledge, a method or approach).

Self Directed

Exercise Three: Aims of your Research Proposal

Reflecting on your proposed project, respond thoughtfully to these questions:

1. What do you hope to learn through this research? (What are you curious about in relation to your design ideas?)

• What are the design issues and triggers in creating a bad medical environment experience?
•  What element create and pushes the boundaries of care and support (relaxer), within a medical design. spaces of; hospitals, doctors, psychologists, any concepts surrounding creating a calming space. How can I relate and alter these concepts to work with a design setting and purpose?

2. What do you hope to discover by undertaking this research project?

•  Specific elements of medical design, that create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, other than biophilic design. This element of design creates a calm and relaxing space, yet is not seen in public health spaces due to health and cleanliness reasoning. Discovering how I could go about implementing biophilic design qualities through other design elements and forms- sound, touch, surface, texture, discovering what other design concepts provide a calming nature to inhabitants. 
• How to fix the issues of an unsafe medical experience through design

3. What do you think will be revealed/learned/understood through undertaking this research project?

•  “What does a safe and supportive medical space feel and look like”- what elements of designs are needed within a medical space to provide care and support- what colours, materials: surface textures, sounds, room.
• “What can design do to alter people’s lives and habits?”

4. How will this research impact other people – your users, community or audience?

•  This research and implementation will create an impact within the communities, by providing medical care support. This teleyhub will be placed and designed around a community that neglected medical care for their own personal reasons; due to lack of transport, care, fears, stress, cultural reasons. Through my research and experimentation of design, the implementation of creating this hub will impact the placed communities. By creating a space and experience that transforms the way that medical care is perceived and reacted with. Creating this calming and supportive environment that will impact the community members’ lives and experience of healthcare. 

AIM 1: Exploring and analysing how hygge design practice/theory can deliver a safe and developed experience for users in a medical environment.

What do you hope to learn? –  I hope to learn how to alter and apply the elements of hygge, to create and pushes the boundaries of care and support (relaxer), within a medical design. spaces of; hospitals, doctors, psychologists, any concepts surrounding creating a calming space. How can I relate and alter these concepts to work with a design setting and purpose?

What do you hope to discover? – – Which elements of hygge work within a medical space, to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere.(other than biophilic design. This element of design creates a calm and relaxing space, yet is not seen in public health spaces due to health and cleanliness reasoning. )Discovering how I could go about implementing biophilic design qualities through other design elements and forms- sound, touch, surface, texture, discovering what other design concepts provide a calming nature to inhabitants.

What will be revealed-  “What does a safe and supportive medical space feel and look like”- what elements of designs are needed within a medical space to provide care and support- what colours, materials: surface textures, sounds, room.?

How will this research impact other people? – Within certain communities and cultures healthcare can be neglected due to many reasons; lack of transport, care, fears, stress, cultural reasons; which can become damaging for many people. Through the discovery of what elements of hygge are needed to create an approachable and relaxing space, this research and implementation will create an impact within the communities. By creating a space and experience that transforms the way that medical care is perceived and reacted

AIM 2: Understanding the current experience and thinking lying of a medical environment; learning the current problems within the space, that fabricates the unenjoyable affair, within a design perspective?

What do you hope to learn? – What is the design problem lying within these spaces? Learning what are the current design elements of space, colour, shape, lighting is adding to this fearful experience. 

What do you hope to discover? – I hope to discover how I can apply my current knowledge of spatial design and my growing research within my postgrad studies to solve this problem within medical spaces.  

What will be revealed-  What are the true triggers of adding or creating traumatic experiences, what can I alter and develop to result in these issues. 

How will this research impact other people? –  I think this will have a big impact within all medical spaces and offices, with solving how the design layout and qualities of a space can further effect the trauma and emotions within already fearful spaces. This may also change the perspective how medical spaces for the public and community.

AIM 3: How will my exploration and research of creating a safe medical environment (through design qualities/effects) have within communities, and how will their perspectives of healthcare change or alter?

What do you hope to learn? – How this implementation will create an impact within the communities, by first providing medical care support for these communities that neglect healthcare. Second, how will this perspective and opinion on the experience with being contained inside this safe and supportive space change and contrast with their past experiences.- how their opinions and experiences changed.

What do you hope to discover? – I hope to discover how the effects of my design explorations have first-hand changed their experiences of a medical space. What were the most effective aspects of their experience?

What will be revealed- If this experience changes the communities behaviour and nature. Will they begin to take their health seriously, when they are feeling ill? Or will just keep the same behaviours and avoid all medical environments.

How will this research impact other people? – I think the results of this research and implementation will have a huge impact not only on the community in question but surrounding communities. If successful in the initial placement, it then further develop within neighbouring communities, to have a positive effect surrounding healthcare as well. 

Week Four

Exploration of Research Questions:

This project examines how the unpleasant experience of medical environments has within communities and creates a neglectful response to healthcare

Version 1:

• This project explores the deliverance of a safe and supportive experience for community users in a medical environment? Specifically through the influence and leverage of qualities Hygge design, to provide this care for communities. 

Version 2:

• How can I change the perspective and notion of medical design within communities, designing a public consultation space? Analysing and adapting the design theory of “Hygge” to a medical environment, to deliver a safe and supportive medical experience?

Statement:

This project explores the spatial exhibition of a safe and supportive medical experience for users in relation to the Dutch design theory of “Hygge” using the leverage of its calming materiality and surface practices, to provide a therapeutic healthcare experience for local communities. 

Question:

How can I explore a spatial exhibition of a safe and supportive experience for users in a medical environment? Specifically through the influence and leverage of qualities Hygge design, to provide this care for communities? 

Statement:

This project explores the spatial exhibition of a safe and supportive medical experience for users in relation to the Dutch design theory of “Hygge” using the leverage of its calming materiality and surface practices, to provide a therapeutic healthcare experience for local communities. 

Version 4:

How can the exploration of a spatial exhibition of a safe and supportive medical experience for users in relation to the Dutch design theory of “Hygge” use leverage of its calming materiality and surface practices, to provide a therapeutic healthcare experience for local communities? 

Version 5:

How can the exploration of a spatial exhibition of a safe medical experience for users in relation to the design theories of “Hygge” and “Biophilic”, using the leverage of their calming materiality and atmosphere practices, to provide a therapeutic healthcare experience for local communities? 

Version 6:

How can the exploration of a spatial exhibition, of a safe medical experience for local communities in relation to the design theories of “Hygge” and “Biophilic”, using the leverage of their calming materiality and atmosphere practices? 

Version 7:

How can the exploration of a spatial exhibition, of a safe medical experience for users in relation to the design theories of “Hygge” and “Biophilic”, using the leverage of their calming materiality and atmospheric practices to provide a therapeutic healthcare experience for local communities? 

Self Directed

Exercise Four: Paradigms

Paradigm: “A conceptual or methodological model underlying the theories and practices of a science or
discipline at a particular time; (hence) a generally accepted world view.” (OED)

The notion of a worldview as it relates to your project is a good way to think about your research
paradigm.

Exercise: Establishing the Position of your Research
Reflecting on your practice, and the work you have already completed in Research Design (keywords,
aims, research question, etc.), and your other classes (contexts, methods) work through the following
triangulation exercise, and fill out the template below.

Week Five

Draft Question Feedback:

• discipline is spatial design, seen through a health well-being lens, position my paradigm using these disciplines to establish my positioning. Using these lenses to locate my paradigm my position- social, physiological
• another paradigm I have is having my way of making through the hygge and biophilic practices.-

These can be established in the positioning statement before the question.  

my means of spatial design methods such as how might taking hygge and biophilic process, be used as a means to develop this particular artefact…

Addressing the position through the question, addressing the aims through the question

the question of what methods do I need to use to achieve the aim, to answer my position in terms of the research”

New Question:

“How might taking the design theories of hygge and biophilic leveraging on their calming material and atmosphere approaches, to provide a theoretical healthcare experience for local communities through the articulation of a spatial design artifact? “

Self Directed

week 6

Te Ao Mahora / Creative Practice Research Design Draft Formative Assessment

Draft Research Question:

How might taking the design theories of Hygge and Biophilic, leveraging their calming materiality and atmospheric practices, provide a safe and therapeutic healthcare experience for local communities through the articulation of a spatial design artifact (consultation space)? 

Field of Inquiry:

My proposed research study is developing a consultant space for the district health board; this space will be located within public locations of communities that neglect their healthcare. 

“What is a safe hospital experience? What does that feel like? How can I emit these experiences exterior of a hospital environment?”

This research explores the spatial implementation of a safe and supportive medical experience through materiality and form for users. Explicitly exploring how qualities of the design theories Hygge and Biophilic can provide support and serenity within a medical environment.

Due to the traumatising nature of medical environments, I want to explore how I can provide further support and care through my practice to create a therapeutic healthcare experience for local communities. 

Keywords:

• Manaakitanga
• Well-being
• Container 
• Communal
• Aid
• Repose

Aims:

AIM 1: 

Understanding the experience and configuration of a medical environment; learning the community’s needs and constrictions for the space that fabricates this stress-inducing affair through a designer perspective?

Through this aim, I want to comprehend the physical design elements of the space; colour, shape, and lighting that are triggering the poor experience. Learning how I can solve these design issues related to the communities’ needs for the space and reveal their atmospheric triggers of past negative experiences and traumas.  

Then adapting these findings to a spatial and well-being practice of integrating these elements to create a safe experience and atmosphere. Making an impact within healthcare space, deciphering new designs and qualities of space to aid and ease the trauma and emotions surrounding these spaces.

AIM 2: 

Exploring and analysing how hygge design practice/theory can deliver a safe experience for users in a medical environment setting.

Through this aim, I hope to learn how to alter and apply the elements of Hygge to create and push the boundaries of care and support (relaxer) within a medical design. Uncovering which elements of hygge correlate in creating a safe and relaxing atmosphere.

Revealing, “What does a safe and supportive medical space feel and look like”- what elements of design are needed within a medical space to provide care and support; colours, materials, surface textures, sounds, space. This creates a space and experience that transforms how medical care is perceived and reacted to.

AIM 3: 

Another aim within a well-being context is creating a comforting and reposed medical environment (consultation space) that communities perceive as safe, changing their perspectives and experiences of healthcare. 

Impacting communities by providing a local enclosed, safe and supportive “healing environment” (N Permatasari et al. 2021), for individuals who neglect healthcare for various reasons. Displaying the impactful effects design spatially holds within altering emotions and memories of a space, controlling and altering atmospheres, and changing communities’ behaviour and nature. 

This purpose will create massive impacts within communities; if successful in the initial placement, it can be developed within neighbouring communities to effect healthcare positively. 

AIM 4: 

Understanding the connection and relationship between biophilic design practice/theory and healthcare environments to deliver a stress-free and developed experience for users in a medical environment.

As the placement of biophilic design creates the perfect atmosphere to depict the humanisation of the beauty and recovery of humans and nature in urban spaces (Totafori, S.2018). These natural elements can be challenging to place within a medical space; due to hygiene reasoning. I want to learn about the different ways of accessing and integrating nature into the built environment. Through my practice of exploring and discovering various accesses to nature, with emulating sensory and textural designs of naturalistic forms to discover and enhance the psychological and physical well-being of potential users of the consultation space.

Revealing the impact and effects biophilia has on users, creating an approachable and relaxing space that transforms how medical spaces are experienced and interacted with.

Bibliography 

Applying the benefits of biophilic theory to hospital design, (City Territ Archit 2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40410-018-0077-5

Architectural Digest logo & Health Care Designers Find New Ways to Calm and Ease the Mind. (2021). Health Care Designers Find New Ways to Calm and Ease the Mind. Ivar Kvaal. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/health-care-designers-find-new-ways-to-calm-and-ease-the-mind

Dalay, L. (2020). THE IMPACT OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN ELEMENTS ON THE ATMOSPHERIC PERCEPTION OF THE INTERIOR SPACE. 4, 4–20.

How Interior Design Affects Mental Helath. (2021, June 23). Forest Homes, Biophilic Design&Sustainability. https://www.foresthomesstore.com/blogs/decor-for-wellbeing/how-interior-design-affects-mental-health

Jacob, M.et an. (2016). Needs of Patients’ Family Members in an Intensive Care Unit With Continuous Visitation. In American Association of Critical-Care Nurs: Vol. Volume 25, No.2. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2016258

League, L. (2021, May 25). Human Behavior and the Designed Environment. Qpractice, The NCIDQ Interior Design Fundamentals Examination (IDFX). https://www.qpractice.com/human-behavior-designed-environment/

Miyazaki, Y., Lee, J., Park, B.-J., Tsunetsugu, Y., & Kagawa, T. (2009). Restorative effects of viewing real forest landscapes, based on a comparison with urban landscapes. In Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research (pp. 227–334). 

N Permatasari et al. (2021). Healing Environment’s Variable to Reduce Anxiety in Cardiovascular Patients. OP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science794. 

Te Ao Mahora / Creative Practice Research Design Formative Assessment

Speaking Notes:

Page 1- 

• Nothing

Page 2- 

• Creative Research

Page 3-

• So my research question is “How might taking the design theories of Hygge and Biophilic, leveraging their calming materiality and atmospheric practices, provide a safe and therapeutic healthcare experience for local communities through the articulation of a spatial design artifact (consultation space)? “

Page 4- 

• My keywords are

Page 5- 

• Manaakitanga 
• Well-being 
• Container 
• Communal 
• Aid 
• Repose

Page 6-

• Feild of Inquiry 

Page 7-

• My proposed research study is developing a consultant space for the district health board; this space will be located within public locations of communities that neglect their healthcare. 
• I am looking at “What is a safe hospital experience? What does that feel like? How can I emit these experiences exterior of a hospital environment?”
• This research explores the spatial implementation of a safe and supportive medical experience through materiality and form for users. Explicitly exploring how qualities of the design theories Hygge and Biophilic can provide support and serenity within a medical environment.
• Due to the traumatising nature of medical environments, I want to explore how I can provide further support and care through my practice to create a therapeutic healthcare experience for local communities. 

Page 8- 

• My aims for this research project

Page 9-

• My first aim is “Understanding the experience and configuration of a medical environment; learning the community’s needs and constrictions for the space that fabricates this stress-inducing affair through a designer perspective?”
• So through this aim, I want to comprehend the design elements that are creating and adding to these negative experiences, and learn about users’ needs and wants for a medical environment. 
• Then developing these findings into a spatial and well-being practice, to create a safe experience within healthcare.

Page 10-

• “Another aim within a well-being context is creating a comforting and reposed medical environment (consultation space) that communities perceive as safe, changing their perspectives and experiences of healthcare. “
• Using this aim is to explore and create a “healing environment”, for the user’s that neglect healthcare. To illustrate the impact that designs spatially holds within controlling emotions and memories in a space.  

Page 11-

• My third aim is “Understanding the connection and relationship between biophilic design practice/theory and healthcare environments to deliver a stress-free and developed experience for users in a medical environment.” 
• Using biophilic design to humanise the beauty and recovery of humans and nature in urban spaces, creating a new atmosphere for an asymmetric and structured environment. 
• Due to the guidelines of medical spaces, direct contact of nature isn’t hygienic, so I am aiming to integrate depictions and abstractions of nature.
• Through my practice of exploring and discovering various accesses to nature, with emulating sensory and textural designs of naturalistic forms to discover and enhance the psychological and physical well-being of potential users of the consultation space.

Page 12- 

• My last aim is “Exploring and analysing how Hygge design practice/theory can deliver a safe experience for users in a medical environment setting”. 
• Through this aim, I hope to learn how to alter and apply the elements of Hygge to create and push the boundaries of care and support (relaxer) within a medical design. Uncovering which elements of hygge correlate in creating a safe and relaxing atmosphere.
• Revealing, “What does a safe and supportive medical space feel and look like”- what elements of design are needed within a medical space to provide care and support; colours, materials, surface textures, sounds, space. This creates a space and experience that transforms how medical care is perceived and reacted to

Page 13-

• This work is an exploration of a biophilic sceen, of waterlilies on a stream.

Page 14- 

• Depicting of biophilic elements, ripples, and leaves

Page 15- 

• In the the first image I was looking at imprints to bed duvets
• In the second image I was exploring the shaping of water currents, with blowing and belending paint.

Peer to Peer Feedback

Te Ao Mahora / Creative Practice Research Design Formative Assessment

Draft Research Question:

How might taking the design theories of Hygge and Biophilic, leveraging their calming materiality and atmospheric practices, provide a safe and therapeutic healthcare experience for local communities through the articulation of a spatial design artifact (consultation space)? 

Field of Inquiry:

My proposed research study is developing a consultant space for the district health board; this space will be located within public locations of communities that neglect their healthcare. 

“What is a safe hospital experience? What does that feel like? How can I emit these experiences exterior of a hospital environment?”

This research explores the spatial implementation of a safe and supportive medical experience through materiality and form for users. Explicitly exploring how qualities of the design theories Hygge and Biophilic can provide support and serenity within a medical environment.

Due to the traumatising nature of medical environments, I want to explore how I can provide further support and care through my practice to create a therapeutic healthcare experience for local communities. 

Working Title:

Humming Caught In Still

Keywords:

• – Manaakitanga
• – Well-being
• – Container 
• – Communal
• – Aid
• – Repose

Aims:

AIM 1: 

Understanding the experience and configuration of a medical environment; learning the community’s needs and constrictions for the space that fabricates this stress-inducing affair through a designer perspective?

Through this aim, I want to comprehend the physical design elements of the space; colour, shape, and lighting that are triggering the poor experience. Learning how I can solve these design issues related to the communities’ needs for the space and reveal their atmospheric triggers of past negative experiences and traumas.  

Then adapting these findings to a spatial and well-being practice of integrating these elements to create a safe experience and atmosphere. Making an impact within healthcare space, deciphering new designs and qualities of space to aid and ease the trauma and emotions surrounding these spaces.

AIM 2: 

Another aim within a well-being and co-design context is creating a comforting and reposed medical environment (consultation space) through my spatial and user design practice, that communities perceive as safe, changing their perspectives and experiences of healthcare. 

Impacting communities by providing a local enclosed, safe and supportive “healing environment” (N Permatasari et al. 2021), for individuals who neglect healthcare for various reasons. Through my design practice of spatial design and users’ design thinking, as a response to exploring the solution to the communities’ attitudes and behaviours towards medical environments. Displays the impactful effects design spatially holds within altering emotions and memories of a space, controlling and altering atmospheres, and changing communities’ behaviour and nature. 

This purpose will create massive impacts within communities; if successful in the initial placement, it can be developed within neighbouring communities to effect healthcare positively. 

AIM 3: 

Understanding the connection and relationship between biophilic design practice/theory and healthcare environments to deliver a stress-free and developed experience for users in a medical environment, through exploration and testing.

As the placement of biophilic design creates the perfect atmosphere to depict the humanisation of the beauty and recovery of humans and nature in urban spaces (Totafori, S.2018). These natural elements can be challenging to place within a medical space; due to hygiene reasoning. I want to learn about the different ways of accessing and integrating nature into the built environment. Through my practice of exploring and discovering various accesses to nature, with emulating sensory and textural designs of naturalistic forms to discover and enhance the psychological and physical well-being of potential users of the consultation space.

Revealing the impact and effects biophilia has on users, creating an approachable and relaxing space that transforms how medical spaces are experienced and interacted with.

AIM 4: 

Exploring, analysing and critiquing the potential hygge design practice/theory can deliver a safe experience for users in a medical environment setting.

Through this aim, I hope to learn how to alter and apply the elements of Hygge to create and push the boundaries of care and support (relaxer) within a medical design. Uncovering which elements of hygge correlate in creating a safe and relaxing atmosphere.

Revealing, “What does a safe and supportive medical space feel and look like”- what elements of design are needed within a medical space to provide care and support; colours, materials, surface textures, sounds, space. This creates a space and experience that transforms how medical care is perceived and reacted to.

Bibliography 

Applying the benefits of biophilic theory to hospital design, (City Territ Archit 2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40410-018-0077-5

Architectural Digest logo & Health Care Designers Find New Ways to Calm and Ease the Mind. (2021). Health Care Designers Find New Ways to Calm and Ease the Mind. Ivar Kvaal. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/health-care-designers-find-new-ways-to-calm-and-ease-the-mind

Cherguit, A. (n.d.). Design Practice 1, 2022, X1 [WordPress]. https://lineardesign.blog/design-practice-1-2022-x1/?preview_id=9275&preview_nonce=7b0795be01&preview=true

Cherguit, A. (2022). Humming In Still [Exhibition].

Dalay, L. (2020). THE IMPACT OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN ELEMENTS ON THE ATMOSPHERIC PERCEPTION OF THE INTERIOR SPACE. 4, 4–20.

How Interior Design Affects Mental Helath. (2021, June 23). Forest Homes, Biophilic Design&Sustainability. https://www.foresthomesstore.com/blogs/decor-for-wellbeing/how-interior-design-affects-mental-health

Jacob, M.et an. (2016). Needs of Patients’ Family Members in an Intensive Care Unit With Continuous Visitation. In American Association of Critical-Care Nurs: Vol. Volume 25, No.2. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2016258

League, L. (2021, May 25). Human Behavior and the Designed Environment. Qpractice, The NCIDQ Interior Design Fundamentals Examination (IDFX). https://www.qpractice.com/human-behavior-designed-environment/

Miyazaki, Y., Lee, J., Park, B.-J., Tsunetsugu, Y., & Kagawa, T. (2009). Restorative effects of viewing real forest landscapes, based on a comparison with urban landscapes. In Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research (pp. 227–334). 

BN Permatasari et al. (2021). Healing Environment’s Variable to Reduce Anxiety in Cardiovascular Patients. OP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science794. 

Bibliography Link: https://lineardesign.blog/bibliography/

Self Directed

Week 7

Research Design:

• Applied Research: Research was undertaken with the intention of applying the results to a specific problem.- my research surrounding the user interaction with my mockups and experience of my consultation space. 
• Case Study: A term with a variety of meanings and historical resonances but which today usually refers to the intensive study of a small number of cases, or a single case.- Using existing works and research surrounding current user experiences in medical design, studies surrounding the effects of biophilia and biomimicry design, and works and studies concerning hygge and its calming effects. 
• Behavioural Research: A broad term for research on human behaviour in multiple contexts, such as health and group behaviour.- User interactions and behaviours surrounding the design and impacts of my methods and methodology. 
• Survey Research: Although the term can have several slightly different meanings, it generally refers to a research method that involves asking a sample of people a set of pre-prepared questions on a single occasion in order to gather data about their opinions and behaviours.- Having users interact with my space, then providing a survey to understand the user’s experience within the designed space. 
• Sequential Design: Sequential design refers to research in which stages are carried out one after the other, or, in sequence.- through exploration, mockups, feedback, interviews, and construction. 

Research Methods:

• Research Ethics: The field of moral philosophy dealing with the standards by which behaviour should be regulated within research.- Working with users of the consultation space + District Health Board. 
• Key Concepts in Research: The primary ideas and techniques of research.- Safe medical experience (repose), communal community space, Biophilia. 
• Research Design: The framework that has been created to seek answers to research questions. – what is a safe hospital experience. 

https://methods-sagepub-com.ezproxy.aut.ac.nz/methods-map/research-methods

Practice Methods:

• Watercolour Painting: Visualising qualities and materiality of the design space or form, detailing the surface and effects.
• Blender Software: Communicating the texture, surface and weight of materiality and fabric. 
• Rhino Software: Visualising designed structures and forms.
• Digital Illustration, Adobe Illustrator + Indesign + Photoshop:
• Paint Blowing: Creating embodiments and biomimicry of natural scenes; water, greenery. 
• Surface Design:
• Material Analysis + Exploration:
• Site Analysis: Understanding the context of the space and surrounding history, which plays around with the experience of the space.
• Biophilic Design: 
• User Thinking:
• Person Centered Design:
• Interviews:
• Mind Mapping:
• Material Experimentation:
• Sketching:
• Prototyping:
• Construction:

Concept: Biophilia.

Methodology: Biomimicry + Distraction Therapy

Paradigm: Biophilia, Cultural

Method: Watercolour, Paint Blowing, Surface Design, Biophilic Design- airflow, light access, Behavioural Research, Case Studies 

Biomorphism refers to designs that visually resemble elements from life (they “look like” nature), whereas biomimetic designs focus on function (they “work like” nature). Biomorphic designs can be stunning and beneficial because humans have a natural affinity for nature and natural forms.

Concept: Repose

Methodology: Practice-Based

Paradigm: Hygge

Method: Materiality Analysis + Exploration, Watercolour, Blender Software, Swatches, User Thinking, Behavioural Research, Case Studies 

If a creative artefact is the basis of the contribution to knowledge, the research is practice-based. 

Concept: Mannakitagia 

Methodology: Person-Centred Design

Paradigm: Tele-Health, Re-Thinking Healthcare

Method: Interviews, Surveys, User Thinking, Behavioural Research, Case Studies. 

People-centred design is a practice where designers focus on specific people’s needs, taking the time to learn from particular populations. “People-centered” is a human-centred design principle. Designers can co-create proper solutions when they live among their target groups, tap their insights and find real issues.

Re-Imaging Healthcare, Embodiment and Support

Person-Centred Design as a Methodology

This research is grounded in a user-focused approach, operating with a ‘Person Centred Design’ methodology. As detailed in Treadaway and Keinning’s Person-Centred Co-Design research study surrounding users with dementia, the methodology of focusing on the users allows the potential to leverage in resolutions that are better suited to the key users (Krippendorff, 2006). My research surrounds the experience and feelings created by users within my designed space, creating a critical relationship between their input and feelings. 

In the current consultation space design, the atmosphere and experience does not suit the experience of a safe medical environment. In my research, I will be redeveloping the space to fit the user’s needs and wants of a medical space, of relaxation and support. I will be utilising the related methods of User-Thinking, Personas and Surveys; these methods allow the direct thoughts of the users to be expressed and met.

In the text “Needs of Patients; Family Members in an Intensive Care Unit With Continous Visitation”, the author’s findings states that there is a lack of studies involving the surveying of the patient’s family members about their needs, and instead focusing on the staff connected with the ward (Mini, J et an.,2016). This technique of surveying allowed the researchers to understand the truthful experience the users were facing within the designed ward rooms; with the feedback being anonymous, the users felt no shame or fear in voicing their opinions. With gained this new insight surrounding the user’s opinions and thoughts of their wanted healthcare space, it allows the method of personas and user-thinking to be utilised throughout the making process. Allowing their thoughts to be considered when making decisions surrounding the design of the new ward. 

This method of user thinking can be successful but can have its disadvantages, with each user having their own opinion surrounding design and atmosphere due to their behaviours and experiences in life. So the ability to meet everyone’s needs becomes overwhelming in the making process. Specifically, within my own practice of Hygge and Biophilia, the users depending on their experiences in life will decipher how the user responds to the consultation Telehub.

Jacob, M.et an. (2016). Needs of Patients’ Family Members in an Intensive Care Unit With Continuous Visitation. In American Association of Critical-Care Nurs: Vol. Volume 25, No.2. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2016258

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/WWOP-09-2015-0022/full/pdf?title=sensor-e-textiles-person-centered-co-design-for-people-with-late-stage-dementia

Biomimicry as a Methodology for Distraction Support

The case study by Totafortis.S explores the relationship between the ever-evolving world and the connection to the natural environment, reconnecting the lost effects of the healing and therapeutic mechanisms found within the environment. 

Totafori discusses Biophilic Design’s historical and social context concerning urban architecture and the environment, arguing that architecture creates separation and degradation between humanity and the natural process within communities (2018). 

Concerning the connection between Biophilic Design and healthcare environments, the statement of natural elements performing successfully in these spaces with the patient’s high anxiety levels. This inspired my methodology of ‘Biomimicry’, with embodying the effects and appearance of the earth’s natural biophilia within a medical space; since the direct contact of the organism breaches health codes. This methodology criticises the discussion of the connection and effect the natural world has within humanity, as this methodology will explore a replica/mimic of the theory, detailing whether the same effects will be held through my making practice. The methods steaming from this methodology are Distraction Therapy, through the techniques of Watercolour, Paint Blowing, Surface Design and Biophilic Design elements of airflow and light access/manipulation. 

This drawing from Totafortis’s discussion of ‘Biomimicry/Biophilic’ methodology, which concludes that ‘looking at greenery and nature reduces hospitalisation time by 8% (Ulrich 1984)” and that “95% of patients and families exposed to direct contact with nature reported lowered stress levels(Ulrich 1984)”. This creates a successful ability in the control and effect created by ‘Biomimicry’. 

 Totafortis, S. Applying the benefits of biophilic theory to hospital design, (City Territ Archit 2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40410-018-0077-5

Practice-Based Methodology 

Throughout the entirety of my research process, I will be utilising a ‘Practice-Based’ methodology, with developing a stream of data gathering tools that relate to the making process of my concepts (Shepley, 2011; Zborowsky & BunkerHellmich, 2010), ‘Hygge’ and ‘Biophilia‘. Since my research focuses on people and health spaces, I will have to consider the influence within these spaces; so I will employ the method of Case Studies. Using the current findings and research surrounding users’ feelings and thoughts about health spaces (specifically in the current teleybhub design), then adding these findings to my spatial practice of Hygge materiality and Biomimicry. 

While gathering research surrounding these topics, I will develop my research from theory to practice, testing out my findings concerning my making methods of Materiality Analysis and Exploration, Watercolour, Paint Blowing, Blender Software, and Swatches. Specifically, with my new practice of ‘Hygge’, with exploring the safe feeling created within my practice (Wiking, M. 2016) through applying my standing research of materials and forms that emit this support in relation to Biomimicry methods. 

Allowing this to be an effective method that demonstrates the relationship and importance of my research solution in relation to providing a safe medical experience (Freihoefer, K et an. 2017).  

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1937586716674470

Visualsing My Research Methodology

Concept: Biophilia.

Methodology: Biomimicry + Distraction Therapy

Paradigm: Biophilia, Cultural

Method: Watercolour, Paint Blowing, Surface Design, Biophilic Design- airflow, light access, Behavioural Research, Case Studies 

Biomorphism refers to designs that visually resemble elements from life (they “look like” nature), whereas biomimetic designs focus on function (they “work like” nature). Biomorphic designs can be stunning and beneficial because humans have a natural affinity for nature and natural forms.

Concept: Repose

Methodology: Practice-Based

Paradigm: Hygge

Method: Materiality Analysis + Exploration, Watercolour, Blender Software, Swatches, User Thinking, Behavioural Research, Case Studies 

If a creative artefact is the basis of the contribution to knowledge, the research is practice-based. 

Concept: Mannakitagia 

Methodology: Person-Centred Design

Paradigm: Tele-Health, Re-Thinking Healthcare

Method: Interviews, Surveys, User Thinking, Behavioural Research, Case Studies. 

People-centred design is a practice where designers focus on specific people’s needs, taking the time to learn from particular populations. “People-centered” is a human-centred design principle. Designers can co-create proper solutions when they live among their target groups, tap their insights and find real issues.

Re-Imaging Healthcare, Embodiment and Support

Person-Centred Design as a Methodology

This research is grounded in a user-focused approach, operating with a ‘Person Centred Design’ methodology. As detailed in Treadaway and Keinning’s Person-Centred Co-Design research study surrounding users with dementia, the methodology of focusing on the users allows the potential to leverage in resolutions that are better suited to the key users (Krippendorff, 2006). My research surrounds the experience and feelings created by users within my designed space, creating a critical relationship between their input and feelings. 

In the current consultation space design, the atmosphere and experience does not suit the experience of a safe medical environment. In my research, I will be redeveloping the space to fit the user’s needs and wants of a medical space, of relaxation and support. I will be utilising the related methods of User-Thinking, Personas and Surveys; these methods allow the direct thoughts of the users to be expressed and met.

In the text “Needs of Patients; Family Members in an Intensive Care Unit With Continous Visitation”, the author’s findings states that there is a lack of studies involving the surveying of the patient’s family members about their needs, and instead focusing on the staff connected with the ward (Mini, J et an.,2016). This technique of surveying allowed the researchers to understand the truthful experience the users were facing within the designed ward rooms; with the feedback being anonymous, the users felt no shame or fear in voicing their opinions. With gained this new insight surrounding the user’s opinions and thoughts of their wanted healthcare space, it allows the method of personas and user-thinking to be utilised throughout the making process. Allowing their thoughts to be considered when making decisions surrounding the design of the new ward. 

This method of user thinking can be successful but can have its disadvantages, with each user having their own opinion surrounding design and atmosphere due to their behaviours and experiences in life. So the ability to meet everyone’s needs becomes overwhelming in the making process. Specifically, within my own practice of Hygge and Biophilia, the users depending on their experiences in life will decipher how the user responds to the consultation Telehub.

Jacob, M.et an. (2016). Needs of Patients’ Family Members in an Intensive Care Unit With Continuous Visitation. In American Association of Critical-Care Nurs: Vol. Volume 25, No.2. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2016258

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/WWOP-09-2015-0022/full/pdf?title=sensor-e-textiles-person-centered-co-design-for-people-with-late-stage-dementia

Biomimicry as a Methodology for Distraction Support

The case study by Totafortis.S explores the relationship between the ever-evolving world and the connection to the natural environment, reconnecting the lost effects of the healing and therapeutic mechanisms found within the environment. 

Totafori discusses Biophilic Design’s historical and social context concerning urban architecture and the environment, arguing that architecture creates separation and degradation between humanity and the natural process within communities (2018). 

Concerning the connection between Biophilic Design and healthcare environments, the statement of natural elements performing successfully in these spaces with the patient’s high anxiety levels. This inspired my methodology of ‘Biomimicry’, with embodying the effects and appearance of the earth’s natural biophilia within a medical space; since the direct contact of the organism breaches health codes. This methodology criticises the discussion of the connection and effect the natural world has within humanity, as this methodology will explore a replica/mimic of the theory, detailing whether the same effects will be held through my making practice. The methods steaming from this methodology are Distraction Therapy, through the techniques of Watercolour, Paint Blowing, Surface Design and Biophilic Design elements of airflow and light access/manipulation. 

This drawing from Totafortis’s discussion of ‘Biomimicry/Biophilic’ methodology, which concludes that ‘looking at greenery and nature reduces hospitalisation time by 8% (Ulrich 1984)” and that “95% of patients and families exposed to direct contact with nature reported lowered stress levels(Ulrich 1984)”. This creates a successful ability in the control and effect created by ‘Biomimicry’. 

 Totafortis, S. Applying the benefits of biophilic theory to hospital design, (City Territ Archit 2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40410-018-0077-5

Practice-Based Methodology 

Throughout the entirety of my research process, I will be utilising a ‘Practice-Based’ methodology, with developing a stream of data gathering tools that relate to the making process of my concepts (Shepley, 2011; Zborowsky & BunkerHellmich, 2010), ‘Hygge’ and ‘Biophilia‘. Since my research focuses on people and health spaces, I will have to consider the influence within these spaces; so I will employ the method of Case Studies. Using the current findings and research surrounding users’ feelings and thoughts about health spaces (specifically in the current teleybhub design), then adding these findings to my spatial practice of Hygge materiality and Biomimicry. 

While gathering research surrounding these topics, I will develop my research from theory to practice, testing out my findings concerning my making methods of Materiality Analysis and Exploration, Watercolour, Paint Blowing, Blender Software, and Swatches. Specifically, with my new practice of ‘Hygge’, with exploring the safe feeling created within my practice (Wiking, M. 2016) through applying my standing research of materials and forms that emit this support in relation to Biomimicry methods. 

Allowing this to be an effective method that demonstrates the relationship and importance of my research solution in relation to providing a safe medical experience (Freihoefer, K et an. 2017).  

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1937586716674470

Ethics Statement

The use of human-centred design is utilised in this research, as well as the incorporation of research surrounding the feedback/participation of the ….. Hospital staff and outpatients. The understanding and participation of the users in the Telehub consultation space are fundamental to comprehending the experience the patients and families will have within the designed space; what emotions are they feeling within the space? Do they feel safe? Less anxious? The information from the focused users and staff assures that the developed design and experience of the space will be meeting the needs and wants of the users to encounter a safe healthcare experience.

The participation between the researcher and staff entails the use of site visits and observations of the current Telehub space in the North Shore Hospital i3 department and the Helensville site, and interviews with the staff of the i3 department. 

Interviews and surveys will also be carried out with a focused group of users visiting the working Telehub. The methods of casual conversation and feedback will be undertaken by providing feedback on the recent experience of the space to understand the user’s wants and needs and to build a persona of users. Additionally, the i3 staff will be asked to supply feedback surrounding design concepts future into the design research and implementation. 

Visualising My Research Methodology

Re-Imaging Healthcare, Through Embodiment and Support

One

Concept: Mannakitagia

Keywords: Manaakitanga, Support, Care, Value 

Methodology: Person-Centred Design.

Paradigm: Cultural, Communal, Inclusive, Health Equity

• Designing and providing for the community. Creating a space where everyone feels welcomed and cared for when needing help, allowing their thoughts and opinions to be important. 

Methods: Interviews, Surveys, User Thinking, Behavioural Research, Case Studies. 

Seminal Texts:

Two

Concept: Telehealth

Keywords: Telehealth, Redevelopment

Methodology: Person-Centred Design

Paradigm: The future of healthcare

• Creating a system and space that will become independent for communities, so they can become in charge of their health and well-being. This concept allows the system of healthcare to be experienced in a new and innovative manner. 

Methods: Case Studies, Current Systems (innovators), Literature Review 

Seminal Texts:

Three 

Concept: User/Person-Centred.

Keywords: Communal, Health-Equity 

Methodology: Person-Centred.

Paradigm: Re-Thinking Healthcare.

• Creating a space that is meeting the needs of the users in their desired medical experience. Listening and understanding what is required from space to access. 

Method: Interviews, Surveys, User Thinking, Behavioural Research, Case Studies. 

Seminal Texts:

Four

Concepts: Biophilia+Embodiment.

Keywords: Biophilia, Embodiment, Repose 

Methodology: Biomimicry + Distraction Therapy.

Paradigm: Biophilia.

• My creative practice considers the calming ideas of Distraction Therapy through the methodology of Biomimicry, developing the exploration of embodiment, creating a reposed atmosphere through similar shaping and inspiration of Biophilia (nature). 
• The ‘humanisation of the beauty and recovery of humans and nature (Totafortis, S. 2018).

Method: Watercolour, Paint Blowing, Surface Design, Biophilic Design- airflow, light access, Behavioural Research, Case Studies 

Five

Concept: Repose

Methodology: Practice-Based

Paradigm: Cultural, Community, Biophilia 

• Creating an interior space that will have a therapeutic atmosphere and experience for the users. Creating a new norm of hospital spaces- of a place to heal and restore, rather than an environment of deterioration. 

Method: Materiality Analysis + Exploration, Watercolour, Blender Software, Swatches, User Thinking, Behavioural Research, Case Studies 

(this concept relies on the final making of the space+ materiality atmosphere) 

Developing my Aims:

1. Understanding user experience and configuration in current medical environment of outpatient clinics; learning about the community’s needs and constrictions of the space that fabricates this stress-inducing affair through a designer perspective?
2. Another aim within a well-being and co-design context is creating a comforting and reposed outpatient consultation clinic for communities through my spatial and person-centred care practice, re-imagining the experience of healthcare. 
3. Understanding the relationship between Biophilia and medical environments to deliver a stress-free and developed experience for users. Specifically through the practice of ‘Biomimicry’ as a Positive Distraction, exploring, testing and experimenting with the impacts environmental embodiment has on users’ experience of anxiety and stress.